In this article on our site we will talk about the cruciate ligament rupture in dogs, a problem that will affect their ambulation and, therefore, to their quality of life. In addition, it is an injury that will cause considerable pain and will therefore require veterinary assistance, better if it is from a specialized professional or with experience in orthopedics and traumatology, an essential requirement if our dog must undergo surgery.. In this article, we will also comment on how the postoperative period of this type of intervention should be, so read on to find out how to treat cruciate ligament rupture in dogs, what recovery consists of and much more.
What is cruciate ligament rupture in dogs?
This problem is relatively common and serious and can affect dogs of all ages, especially if they weigh more than 20 kg. It occurs due to a sudden rupture or degeneration Ligaments are elements that help stabilize joints. In the knee of dogs we find two cruciate ligaments: the anterior and the posterior, however, the one that tends to break more frequently due to its position is the anterior, which joins the tibia with the femur. So, its rupture, in this case, produces instability in the knee.
Younger, active dogs are more prone to this injury, as they will tear the ligament, typically from traumaor by inserting the leg into a hole while running, producing a hyperextension. On the other hand, in older animals, especially from 6 years of age, in sedentary or obese animals, the ligament is damaged by degeneration.
Sometimes, the rupture of the ligament also damages the meniscus, which is like a cushion of cartilage that cushions the areas where they must be articulated two bones, as is the case with the knee. Therefore, when the meniscus is injured, the joint will be affected and may become inflamed. In the long term it would cause degenerative arthritis and permanent lameness if left untreated. The lateral ligaments may also be affected.
Symptoms of ruptured cruciate ligament in dogs and diagnosis
In these cases we will see that, suddenly, the dog begins to limp, keeping the affected leg raised, crouched, that is, without supporting it at any time, or you can rest only your fingers on the ground, taking very short steps. Due to the pain caused by the break, it is very likely that the animal will scream or cry intensely. We can also notice the swollen knee, with a lot pain if we touch it and, above all, everything, if we want to stretch it. At home, then, we can palpate the leg looking for the source of the injury and identifying the symptoms of cruciate ligament rupture in dogs, also observing the pads and between the toes, since sometimes the lameness is caused by a wound in the legs. feet.
Once the pain in the knee has been identified, we must take our dog to the vet, who will be able to diagnose the break by performing a physical examination by palpation of the knee, as with the so-called drawer test. In addition, with a X-ray you can assess the condition of the knee bones. The data that we provide will also help the diagnosis, so we must inform you when the lameness appeared, what it is like, if it subsides with rest or not, or if the dog has suffered a recent blow. We must know that it is characteristic of cruciate ligament rupture in dogs that it begins with a lot of pain, which will subside until the rupture affects the entire knee, at which point the pain returns due to the damage caused by the rupture, such as osteoarthritis
Treatment of cruciate ligament rupture in dogs
Once our veterinarian has confirmed the diagnosis, the treatment of choice is surgery with the aim of restoring the stability of the joint. A cruciate ligament tear that is not treated will cause osteoarthritis in a few months. To perform this operation, the veterinarian can choose between several techniques, which we can summarize as follows:
- Extracapsular, they do not restore the ligament and stability is achieved by post-surgical periarticular fibrosis. Sutures are usually placed outside the joint. They are faster but have worse results in large dogs.
- Intracapsular, which are techniques that aim to restore the ligament through tissue or implant through the joint.
- Osteotomy techniques, more modern, consisting of modifying the forces that allow the knee to move and maintain stability. Specifically, they change the degree of inclination of the tibial plateau relative to the patellar ligament, allowing the knee to articulate without using the damaged ligament. They are techniques such as TTA (tibial tuberosity advancement), TPLO (tibial plateau leveling osteotomy), TWO (wedge osteotomy) or TTO (triple knee osteotomy).
The traumatologist, assessing the particular case of our dog, will propose the most appropriate technique , as they all have advantages and disadvantages. For example, TPLO is not recommended in puppies due to the damage that can occur in the line of bone growth when performing the osteotomy. Regardless of the technique, it is important to assess the state of the menisci If there is damage, it must also be intervened, otherwise the dog will continue to limp after the operation. Keep in mind that there is a risk of rupture of the cruciate ligament of the other leg during the months following the first.
Recovery from torn cruciate ligament in dogs
After surgery, our veterinarian may recommend physiotherapy, which will consist of exercises that move the joint passively. Of course, we should always follow their instructions. Among these activities, the swimming stands out, highly recommended if we have the possibility of accessing a suitable space. We must also, in order to achieve the best recovery and avoid loss of muscle mass, keep our dog with the restricted exercise, which sometimes involves enabling them a small space, where you have no chance to jump or run, much less go up and down stairs. For the same reason, he has to go for a walk on a short leash and we will not be able to let him go for the duration of the postoperative period, until our veterinarian releases us.
Conservative treatment for cruciate ligament rupture in dogs if surgery is not possible
As we have seen, the treatment of choice for cruciate ligament rupture in dogs is surgery. Without it, in just a few months the damage to the knee will be so serious that the dog will not be able to have a good quality of life. However, if our dog already has osteoarthritis in the knee, is very old or has any factor that makes it impossible to enter the operating room, we will have no choice but to treat it only with anti-inflammatories to relieve the pain, although we must know that there will come a time when they will no longer have an effect.
